Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

Saves space!

Yes I do indeedy.
I planned it out on using my maps on Google do I can send you a file.
We made some alterations on rote and found some other great places as well.
I'll PM you.

EDIT: Riding in the country was joyous as there's no bugger up there and as there's so much space 99.99% passed super safely and were amazingly courteous.
In the cities is like any other though.

Packed up for first attempt at cycle touring, going for 6 days, but staying in hostels, about 6.5kgs including the three bags, frame and handlebar bag both decathlon, chosen to allow access to bottles and fit within cables respectively.

Packed up for first attempt at cycle touring, going for 6 days, but staying in hostels, about 6.5kgs including the three bags, frame and handlebar bag both decathlon, chosen to allow access to bottles and fit within cables respectively.

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Wow, that Carradice has seen some use!

Several years of commuting, think it looks worse (greyer) than it is due to having recently rewaxed it with a bit too much wax. Certainly has a nice patina, would put money on it outlasting the (new) decathlon bags.

oh, I meant it as a compliment! Proper beausage.

whats the tiny bag on the top tube with what looks like a reflective stripe?

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/100-bike-frame-bag-black-15l-id_8354453.html (I sharpied the logo, I am that shallow) with a velcro trouser strap round it, you can also see one on the back of the carradice. It helps keep it nicely compressed, and satisfies my desire for some spare straps and reflectiveness on what looks to be shaping to be a fairly grey week. Only tools and tubes in there so hopefully will go the week without being opened...

perfectinfo thanks.

The handlebar bag is also the £10 decathlon one, both seem pretty good. In particular it sits ~perfectly behind the gear cables of my side exit tiagra shifters, something that a lot of others would not. Will try and post an update when I get back as to whether they survived/impressed.

This setup looks great. I'm off to Belgium for 12 days tomorrow with just a 15l Bridge Street saddlebag but I think I'll pop into Decathlon on the way home and get either the bag or frame bag - could do with something extra to put tools in really.

I think the carradice bag is about 15l, I basically have rear bag overnight and waterproofs only, frame bag for tools and inner tubes, handlebar bag for day stuff

Anyone else find that their frame bag marks / dents their paint (I really hope it is just the paint, not the tube underneath)?

I've got a restrap bag and although it works really well, it has seemed to leave marks - one bald spot, and one line on the top tube where the side of the top strap went. I guess tape under the contact points would be a quick fix to prevent it happening again?

Yeah, my Revelate has chewed big gouges in the seatstays.

A friend has a Restrap frame bag and noticed rubbing. He did tape up all the contact points. Not specifically a Restrap issue, obviously.

I have put clear helicopter tape on the top tube. Hopefully that will give the paintwork a chance.

I fitted my Alpkit's velcro straps so the fuzzy side touches the paint. Was brushing the side of my thighs against one of the straps, which gave me sore patches, so I flipped that strap fuzzy side out for the Dorset Gravel Dash. Now have a matte hoop round my toptube.

I've got a spare one of these Lotus Bar bags going spare if anyone is interested. Unused.

Yes interested

Was less surprised about the spot of rubbing, it was the neat line that looks like a dent across the diameter of the top tube that really bothered me! Will mess around with tape and using the frame bag for light stuff only (against conventional wisdom of putting heavy things in it due to handling)

It depends a lot on the frame/quality of paint as well. My Cotic Soul was down to undercoat showing after one (dry, 30 mile) ride, my Croix de Fer has lasted about 2500 miles of bag use and is just starting to show wear. Helicopter tape is a good idea, but I'm not precious about my bikes. (Was disappointed with the Cotic though TT looks like shit now.)

I just acquired a cotic soul unpainted, what do you think is the key to a good paint job?

I don't know what Cotic use but it ain't good. In your position I would go for a powder coat colour with powder clear coat on top - mainly for durability and cost effectiveness.

OK, I've searched but not found a huge amount on this topic...

What casual/off the bike shoes do people take when bike packing/light touring? I took some converse last time I did a 3-4 day trip but seem to remember they're quite heavy. Are there any light weight recommendations?